Properly sealing abandoned wells protects people, groundwater, livestock, and provides piece of mind.

Beavers can be a headache for landowners and municipalities. Here a beaver deceiver was installed. The system is designed to block access to culverts.

One of AHCD's Molehill Levelers,in operation, which are designed to scrape the tops of animal mounds while leaving forage crops intact.Spring 2009 shows the addition of another level to the district. There are now three available to landowners, register early to ensure getting your leveling done.

Pasture watering systems reduce feedlot manure loads and allow for better pasture utilization. Pasture Pipeline Plough being used to install shallow 1 1/2 inch PVC water lines. AHCD no longer owns a plough, but continues to provide assistance to landowners to install pipe.

Solar powered systems pump water from dugouts into troughs. The dugouts are fenced to keep cattle out, this reduces silt and manure from entering the dugout, protects the banks from erosion, prolonging the life and water quality within the dugout, reduces foot rot, mastitis, and increases weight gain in cattle.

A variety of options for winter watering are available. Here a simple wind/solar hybrid system that works off a wet well on a dugout. The approach of livestock prompts a motion sensor to turn on a pump that fills the self draining bowl.

A portable watering system is now available, for demo use. Contact the office today for full details!

Erosion control project at Five Mile Creek Bridge replacement. Do you have an erosion project we can assist with?

Southwest Manitoba Water Festival, enters it's 6th year in 2010. The main goal of the festival is "To Educate and Engage Youth in the Importance of Healthy Watersheds. In an effort to become more efficient in aeas of mutual interest, such as environmental education, three Conservation Districts from SW Manitoba (AHCD, TMCD & WSRCD) are in partnership to host the Water Festivals. This years event,will be held in September, in scenic Souris Park.

AHCD Ice Fishing Days. Another fun and educational activity for the youth in the district. The main goal of the program is "To educate, in the Knowledge and teach the Skills of Ice Fishing Safety & Our Natural Resources. Open water at the springs which feed Rock Lake offer a classic warning of how easily safety can be jeopardized. Schools particpating including schools from surrounding CD's. Pembina Valley CD Staff assisted with the educational portion of the day as well the students who got to make their own fishing sticks and then to actually fish for a few hours! Every group hopes to manage a catch or two by the end of the day. Students are allowed to choose whether to release the fish or take it home. Sponsors for Ice Fishing Days include the Manitoba Conservation's Fish Enhancement Initiatives Fund, together with grants from various Foundations. Plans for the 2010 Ice Fishing Days are underway.

Baldur Walking Path. Trail construction began in 2006, with the removal of trees and branches along the trail so it could be used during the winter. The next step was to begin mulching the ivy and grasses and set up benches & signs. Now the path is a community favorite as well as a visitors' 'must see', as it continues to develop.

In recent years, several landowners have seen Burrowing Owls on their land. At least one pair has nested successfully in the area during the past two years and other reports point to the possibility that other pairs may have attempted to nest in pastures or haylands in the area. In 2008/08, several artificial nests were installed by AHCD staff in suitable nesting sites in the R.M. of South Cypress. These artificial nests consist of plastic piping leading to an underground nest chamber and are especially designed to stop predators from accessing the eggs, young and incubating adult. Burrowing Owls prefer nesting dens on flat, treeless actively pastured haylands. Since they prey on mice, voles and grasshoppers, they generally require idle areas or extensive grasslands nearby which will produce a good population of prey. Using these preferences as a guide, AHCD staff identified a number of suitable grasslands. Seeking landowner permission, was quite easy, given the postive attitudes most folks have toward helping these owls make a comeback. In future years, AHCD will be monitoring the artificial nests with the landowners to observe if they are being used. If you believe your pasture meets the requirement of installing an artificial den, or are interested in more information on the Burrowing Owl, please contact AHCD at 877-535-2139 or Manitoba Conservation at 945-5439.

Photos compliments of Peter Sawatsky